Thoughts on this alexandrite 18k gold pendant. $20 for the best advice

[Wacky321]

d d


Gentlemen, and or ladies,

I would like your thoughts on this Alexandrite I just recently purchased through an auction. The Pendant surrounding the alexandrite was tested for 18k gold. The stone was tested with a Presidium Duo Gem tester, and tested a little bit before the diamond area. The stone was not authenticated with a jeweler or by the GIA and might be synthetic/man made. Colors range from a nice purple red to a blueish green cast. The total weight with the stone & pendant is approx 10.48 grams.
24MM by 12.6MM center stone prong set with stippled leaves surrounding the stone and tiny berry like gold accents. Making the stone between 14-15 carats.

I took the gamble and got it for $3600. I figure even if it's synthetic or a different stone, it might still be worth something more than what i'm paying for it. I'm going to get it authenticated

I'll pick the best reply or two and send the author $20 via Zelle or square cash for your troubles.

Do the signs point to natural alex or synthetic? thank's guys.

 

[peacechick]

Here are some good threads to read:

Have you really got an Alexandrite? Read this first!

How can you tell if alexandrite is real/natural or lab

I think LD’s article asks all the questions you should ask. Did the auction guarantee a return if your alex tests as synthetic?

 

[Wacky321]

They did not, it was a charity auction. They didn't seem to know much about what they were selling. Just seemed to being going off of a couple internet searches & the general physical attributes.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I am going to apologize in advance because what I will say is not what you will want to hear and if you read the suggested threads you will probably agree. You have about what I would guess to be about $240 in scrap value of the gold. The stone is most likely synthetic. For example, here is an Etsy listing for a similar style- vintage 1980's (Victorian) synthetic Alexandrite pendant but the metal is not 18k.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/563216...uery=alexandrite necklace&ref=sr_gallery-1-19

The good news is that it's pretty and the money you spent went to charity.

 

[lovedogs]

The stone is almost certainly synthetic.

 

[prs]

The bad news is the odds of it being a real 14ct Alexandrite are the same as winning the lottery.

The good news is if it's a real 14ct Alexandrite you just won the lottery.

 

[chrono]

Pretty sure it’s not a natural alexandrite but the setting is gorgeous! Size, colour, and clarity makes it highly unlikely.

 

[Wacky321]

Pretty sure it’s not a natural alexandrite but the setting is gorgeous! Size, colour, and clarity makes it highly unlikely.

Thanks everyone.

Chrono, could you possibly explain what stands out to you regarding the colour/clarity.

It goes from a purple red to a blueish green

 

[chrono]

Too clean in clarity for the size.
Colouration too perfect.

 

[Bron357]

Unfortunately it won’t be genuine Alexandrite. It will be synthetic Sapphire (corundum) that is doped with vanadium , that’s why it tests in the sapphire range of a Presidum.
Synthetic Alexandrite has been around over 100 years and was actually very popular in its time and not inexpensive. It is often found in high carat, expensive gold jewellery.
Many, many is the person who thinks “whoa, Alexandrite” when unfortunately it isn’t.
Genuine Alexandrite in sizes over 5 carat are very rare, flawless gems even rarer.
By all means get it tested to but expect the result to come back as synthetic corundum.

 

[suzanne2]

Synthetic.

So, who gets the twenty bucks?

Me? Most Concise.
LisaRN? First out of the gate.
peacechick? Best passing game. Answered twice.
Lovedogs? Best bet hedger.
prs? Best emoticons.
Bron? Wordiest.
Chrono? Best follow-up answer/almost most concise.

 

[Anne111]

From what I remember, even a one carat loose alexandrite would cost way more. You probably have paid 3600 for 10 grams of gold = 360/gr = 10times more than gold is worth.
I'm happy it want to charity though. No harm done, one may hope.

 

[Anne111]

Wacky, I just realized that might have sounded condescending or such, sorry, I just typed away, didn't mean to rub it in.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Synthetic.

So, who gets the twenty bucks?

Me? Most Concise.
LisaRN? First out of the gate.
peacechick? Best passing game. Answered twice.
Lovedogs? Best bet hedger.
prs? Best emoticons.
Bron? Wordiest.
Chrono? Best follow-up answer/almost most concise.

Well if it's me (it's not) I would ask the money donated to the Human Society.

 

[suzanne2]

Well if it's me (it's not) I would ask the money donated to the Human Society.

Wait, we're ALL Human...
Did a joke just fly right by me?